FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Will Ricketson, Communications DirectorNew York Yacht Club American MagicT: (978) 697-2384E: will@americanmagic.com

Port of Pensacola will serve as the winter training base for American Magic

Pensacola, Fla. - New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, today announced that the Port of Pensacola will serve as the team’s winter training base in late 2018 and early 2019. The team was formed in 2017 to win the America’s Cup, the highest prize in sailing and the oldest trophy in international sports.

Until warmer weather returns to the team’s primary training location in Newport, Rhode Island, over a hundred American Magic personnel will sail and support the Mule, the team’s advanced 38-foot test boat, on the sunny waters of Pensacola Bay. American Magic’s presence represents the first time an America’s Cup syndicate has trained on the Gulf Coast of Florida since 1970.

“Pensacola brings a lot to the table for our team,” said Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.), Skipper and Executive Director of American Magic. “Pensacola will give us consistently good sailing weather, a large and protected flat water training venue, efficient logistics and a welcoming community. The Port of Pensacola has been very accommodating as we set up our base, and really stepped up to create an ideal facility for an America’s Cup team.”

American Magic’s first exposure to Pensacola came during July 2018, when Team Principal and CEO Hap Fauth (Naples, Fla.) and team sailors Bora Gulari (Detroit, Mich.) and Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) gave an America’s Cup presentation to over five hundred junior sailors, coaches and families at the Optimist U.S. National Championship hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club.

“We’re excited and grateful that Pensacola Yacht Club and the local sailing community have embraced American Magic and extended their hospitality since our first visit,” said Hutchinson, a sixteen-time sailing world champion. “Pensacola Bay is a world-class sailing venue, and hopefully our time here will help raise awareness of just how great it is to race and train in this region of the U.S.”

“Having American Magic training here for the winter not only provides the Port of Pensacola with a unique new customer, but shines a worldwide spotlight on the amazing natural sailing venue that is Pensacola Bay,” said Port Director Amy Miller. “Our hope is that we can work with tourism officials and our local sailing community to leverage this exposure and attract more training and competition venue opportunities in the future.”

The Port of Pensacola features world-class facilities and a convenient location. Port assets include a wide and deep channel, thousands of feet of dockage, extensive indoor and outdoor storage, direct rail access, a full range of cargo handling equipment and an experienced staff.

The 36th America’s Cup match will take place in Auckland New Zealand, in March 2021. Prior to the America’s Cup, American Magic will compete in several America’s Cup World Series events and the Prada Cup, the Challenger selection finals. The Challenger who wins the Prada Cup in early 2021 will earn for the right to face the current Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup match.

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About the Port of Pensacola

The Port of Pensacola is one of America’s oldest seaports, tracing its history to 1743 when the first shipment of commercial cargo exported out of the port was recorded. Fittingly, that cargo consisted of wood masts and spars for sailing vessels. Today, the port is one of three business enterprises owned and operated by the City of Pensacola (the other two being Pensacola International Airport and the local natural gas utility, Pensacola Energy). As a non-operating, landlord port, the Port of Pensacola owns and maintains the port facilities with all cargo, shipping and maritime activities being undertaken by private sector business partners. The port provides hundreds of jobs and is responsible for tens of millions of dollars in annual economic activity throughout the northwest Florida region.

About the New York Yacht Club

The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 when nine New York yachtsmen met aboard John Cox Stevens' yacht and a year later its original clubhouse was built in Hoboken, N.J. The Club's Annual Regatta was first run in 1845. The Club was the keeper of the America's Cup from 1851 to 1983, and it organized the first transatlantic race in 1866. The Club maintains two exquisite clubhouses, on 44th Street in the heart of New York City, known for its Model Room and extensive nautical library, and Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., which annually hosts some of North America's most prestigious sailing events, including the Annual Regatta, Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and the Queen's Cup. www.nyyc.org

About New York Yacht Club American Magic

Formed in October 2017 by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club, NYYC American Magic brings together two highly successful racing programs with one of the foremost yacht clubs in the world, all with the shared vision of launching a campaign for the 36th America's Cup competition, reconnecting the American sailing base with sailing's premier event and elevating the quality of competitive sailing in the United States. The syndicate intends to develop and support a team that will participate in the America's Cup competition and the Challenger Selection Series competitions that lead up to it. American Magic’s Official Innovation Partner is Airbus. The Official Apparel Sponsor of American Magic is Helly Hansen. American Magic is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. www.americanmagic.com.